Evangelization begins with Mass understanding

If understanding the Mass is "the source and summit of all evangelization," as Pope John Paul II wrote in an encyclical on the Eucharist, then a lot of Catholics may be in trouble.

"What I have discovered," explained Rev. Joseph Cebula, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Rotterdam, "is we are all on a different level of understanding regarding the Mass."

Father Cebula recently offered a Mass for children in the parish's faith formation program in which he talked about what each part of the liturgy meant. Students were invited to bring their parents to the special Mass, as well.

Why and how

The parish's evangelization mission had already begun with pamphlets such as "How Come I Have To Go To Mass?" and "Celebrating the Eucharist and Mass at OLA" for parishioners. Father Cebula then taught during the Mass itself.

"In the Liturgy of the Word, I integrated it with an appropriate paragraph or two on each section," he explained. "In the homily, there [was] a quick reflection on the Scripture, then generalities about the Mass."

The update was geared toward those "who are already Catholic and participating in whatever degree, and those who are Catholic but not super active."

The Second Vatican Council in the 1960s called all Catholics to "full and active participation" in the liturgy.

"The Mass is the prayer of prayers, the sacrament of sacraments,"  said Father Cebula. 

"Catholics are called to gather together every week to the Mass."
He has been discouraged by a "laissez-faire" attitude toward Mass attendance among some Catholics.

Come back

"Appreciation of liturgy has been waning over the years," he stated. "We don't have people in significant numbers who go to church."

Father Cebula also reminded people of "Mass etiquette," from appropriate clothing to ending conversations and text messaging during the liturgy.

"Either people don't know or they need to be refreshed," he noted.

"Here's the opportunity to remind people. We all need a shot in the arm about living our faith."

He pointed out that "the Lord gave one" reminder in the Commandment, "Always keep holy the Sabbath day."

Tom Marino, chairperson of the parish evangelization committee, sees the connection between Mass and evangelization.

"We need to know what we are calling people to," he said; but many "don't have a clear understanding of what's happening during Mass. Parents haven't reviewed it with their children. We all need to review it."

Next, evangelize

He anticipates that sharing the faith will naturally flow from active participation.
"The Mass is where you come together to honor our Father in heaven and to worship Christ," he explained. "If there is worship and fellowship, you are paying attention to Scripture, singing and sharing in your faith community. The evangelizing is all part of that experience."

He acknowledged that people are looking for the relevancy of the Mass in their own lives. The answer, he said, is to focus on Jesus: "When we truly come with our focus on Jesus Christ, the altar is our center and we keep our eyes on Jesus," which spills into everyday life "whether we are driving down the road or in our relationships. The Mass reminds us of this."

Mr. Marino called liturgy "the 'ah-ha' of how much Jesus loves each of us. He wants me to participate in evangelization. We are all called to do this; the Mass is part of the package."

(10/2/08)